UMKC has been Kansas City’s university for 80 years — and that’s something to celebrate.

A week-long celebration of the university’s 80^th anniversary, dubbed Founders’ Week, will take place next week, September 28 through October 5.  Activities include a Commemoration Day ceremony, a Regalia Run/Walk 5K, arts and culture events, and campus tours.

The Commemoration Day ceremony will draw civic, elected officials and UMKC alumni together to celebrate the anniversary of the signing of UMKC’s charter.  Officials will re-sign the charter at 9:30 a.m., Oct. 1, in the gymnasium at Swinney Recreation Center.  Chancellor Leo Morton will also deliver a “State of the University” address.

Although the ceremony will celebrate the university’s newest additions and advances, it will also be a time to reflect on how far UMKC has come.  In 1933, UMKC, then the University of Kansas City, began its first classes with just 17 instructors and 265 students. In 1936, 80 students became UKC’s first graduating class.  Today, the university serves more than 16,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students.